As a follow-up to questions connected to facilities, NJ21st received responses from two BOE Members:

Sai Akiri

Hi John,

Thank you for your email. Your concerns about the long-overdue facilities repairs and the urgency of addressing them are well-founded, and I completely support the call for actions that are well-planned and swift.

You raise important points about the availability of funds in reserve accounts and the need for a more efficient approach to tackling these repairs. Based on data as of December 2024, $4,008,628.91 is currently available in Capital reserve account and $563,661.43 in Maintenance reserve account.

Using the monies already available to us in reserve accounts seems like a reasonable and pragmatic step forward, especially if it allows for immediate action without unnecessary delays. The board must consider a transparent and efficient process that prioritizes the needs of students and staff while ensuring fiscal responsibility.

Conducting an assessment and obtaining estimates before engaging in complex committee processes or referendums is vital. This proactive approach would provide the community with a clearer understanding of the costs involved and how best to allocate available resources.

I am hopeful the board and district administration will respond with a concrete plan that maximizes the use of available funds without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. This is what the community, our students and our teachers appear to be asking for.

Thank you again for your continued advocacy on behalf of students, educators, and the Berkeley Heights community.

As always these are my thoughts and opinions as an individual and do not represent the opinion of the Berkeley Heights Board of Education.

Natasha Joly

Mr. Migueis,

I share the same concerns as the students, faculty, and parents (I have two kids attending GL) but the Board can’t act alone. The Board will need to partner with the Administration to address the issues in priority order. I look forward to working with the Administration to identify projects that can be addressed immediately, those that can be included in the 2025 – 2026 budget, and those that will be slated for the referendum.

Note: These are my thoughts and opinions as an individual and do not reflect the opinion of the BH Board of Education.

Thanks,
Natasha

During the last meeting, Bradford unilaterally implemented ad hoc committees, misrepresented the policy on committee formation, and attempted to prevent the BOE attorney from responding to questions from other BOE members. Last year, the BOE voted to return to forming committees by consensus, as the previous year was the only time the BOE President had sole authority—despite claims from a local politically funded media outlet and Mr. Dillon’s characterization.

With a surplus exceeding $3 million, it remains unclear why ad hoc committees are being introduced in place of existing committee structures or why they are necessary before the District even begins obtaining estimates for priority repairs that do not require a referendum. We emailed Ms. Bradford requesting an explanation for her unilateral decision but have yet to receive a response.

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